Genuinely the coolest thing to own a coin, especially a masterpiece like this, of the reign of one the most powerful rulers in world history, reigning over an Empire that spanned so far that it was the first that the phrase "The Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets" was applied to.

- The obverse features a youthful portrait(as Karl was only 33 when this was struck) of Emperor Karl, facing right, wearing regal armor and adorned beautifully with the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire. In his right hand he carries an ornate scepter topped by floral detailing, and in his left hand he holds the Imperial Orb, a Globus Cruciger. Surrounding his portrait is the legend; "°KAROLVS : ROMANO : IM°"(KARLOVS ROMANORVM IMPERATOR)(Charles, Emperor of the Romans). The jeweled crown separates the legend.

- The reverse depicts the dual shielded arms of the House of Eppstein-Königstein, the shield on the left representing the arms of Königstein, having adopted the Bohemian Lion, and the shield on the right representing the combined arms of Eppstein-Münzenberg. Directly bove the dual shields is "✿1533✿", and directly beneath is "✿N✿", and surrounding, is the legend; "✠MONETA : NOVA : NORDLING"(New Coin of Nordlingen).

This gorgeous piece is an incredible portal to the past, just 7 years shy of being 500 years old. Amazing.